I needed to get rid of Anna’s dress. As long as I had it, I’d be haunted or, as Claudia suggested, cursed. (Perhaps it had been a mistake, but I told Claudia about Tim’s blurting out Anna’s name. Claudia cringed when she heard, then said, “We all think about other people from time to time, but who wants to be reminded of it?” For Claudia, there was no question as to whether I would return the dress. In her mind, I couldn’t do it fast enough.)

I’d heard that Philip had taken Anna and Sophie to France for the month of January. My plan was to return the dress while they were away, leaving it with their housekeeper.

But to my surprise, after I knocked, Philip Ashworth opened the door. He was fresh from a shower and smelled of English soap. I remember thinking if this were an old black-and-white movie, he’d be played by Gary Cooper or a blond Henry Fonda. But the black-and-white part would be a pity, because his eyes were Paul Newman blue.

“Oh,” he said, “I thought you were the car.”

I handed him the garment bag and said, “If you could give this to Anna.”

He looked puzzled. “What were you doing with this?”

“I’m returning it.”

“Why did you have it?”

“Well, your wife gave it to me. But now I’m giving it back.”

His jaw dropped slightly. He looked down. He sighed. “Won’t you come in?”

“I’m late for work.”

“Please, Kate. Please, come in.”

That he remembered my name was what carried me inside.

We stood in the foyer with the light blue Egyptian tile floor and the ornate tin ceilings. Near the door, a leather carry-on was packed, ready for travel. Even though he spoke softly, the sound bounced around in the cavernous front room. He wanted specifics. He seemed most interested in the time frame as to when had she given me the dress. I told him that she’d lent it to me for the Yuletide Ball, that she hadn’t wanted to go alone. He seemed pained by my saying it, but I thought it was better to be honest. Then I explained that she’d insisted I keep it. I said it was too much, I didn’t feel comfortable receiving such a valuable gift. He thanked me for returning it.

Something was knocked over upstairs. He didn’t seem to notice. A woman’s voice called out, “Philip?” or at least I thought so.

“Was that someone calling for you?”

“No,” he said. “We’re the only ones here.”

Then the doorbell rang.

“Not anymore,” I said, my attempt at a joke.

“That’s the car.” He went for his bag. “I’m going into the city, Kate. Can I offer you a ride?”